My nephew recently got into Naruto because his older relative (by about 5 years). My nephew told this older relative (who is not related to me), that I watch anime and had some cool figurines. This relative then says I'm only into anime because I'm trying to act young. This 12 or 14 year old is telling me something that I have liked since before he could talk (maybe don't know their age), is something only for young people now? My niece then pops in and says she agrees. my siblings were very helpful when I was pointing out how long I've watched anime and manga by saying they don't remember me ever watching them. Long story short I convinced them that not only had I been watching anime/manga for a long time, I also tried to get all of my siblings children into it as well. Has something you liked for a while suddenly becomes very popular and people accuse you of following a trend or trying to be something your not? Please share your experiences.
That's so weird, who do they think all the older anime were for? And the seinen/josei? Act like a superior elder by telling them about all the wonderful stories you know that they don't, because they're greenhorns! Inattentive siblings suck. If you don't remember, don't intervene.
Well you were probably the first adult person they met who watched anime so they had some misconceptions about it. Good thing you made them aware that it's a little different than what they initially thought. And similar situation happens often - because it is very easy to have some faulty knowledge about any subject if we don't examine it deeply.
Show them your read/watched list, like myanimelist/mangaupdates. Then call them noobs/mainstream followers for recommending Naruto and show them older anime or anime for grown-ups. If you can snatch their smartphone, send their family/ friends boku no pico recommendation.
Why not show them ultimate hellsing or even bakemonogatari, when they cry and Blood C and more of gore anime. Show them that anime isn't just for teenager!!